Top 10 Nursing Colleges in the U.S. for 2024: The Best Schools for Aspiring Nurses

A tremendous, in-demand profession in healthcare, nursing remains one of the most rewarding, therefore ensuring that an excellent nursing school will considerably impact your career. Whether it is a BSN, MSN, or higher education, the quality of nursing education determines the course of things to come.

Most of the top nursing schools in the U.S. are known for having strong academic programs, outstanding faculty members, strong research capabilities, and state-of-the-art facilities; partnerships with strong clinical training are also a hallmark of these programs. The programs also offer a very high pass rate NCLEX and hands-on training in the diverse healthcare environments.

Here are the Top 10 Nursing Colleges in the U.S. for 2024–with factors including academic excellence, clinical training, research output, and overall reputation.

1. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing – Baltimore, MD

Why It's Top-Ranked:

Johns Hopkins is also ranked as one of the best when it comes to medical research and education in nursing. This institution has the best in the country for a school of nursing with programs available at the undergraduate level, graduate level, and even at the doctoral level. Its focus on research involves improving health outcomes and patient care, to more global health perspectives.

Key Programs:

BSN Accelerated and Traditional
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology NP, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Educator
DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
PhD in Nursing - Research-focused

Notable Features:

Strong reputation/affiliation with Johns Hopkins Hospital, which is an amazing source for providing high-quality clinical education for future practitioners in the field.
Focus on leadership within nursing, innovations in patient care, and health policy.
Exposure to global health.

2. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing – San Francisco, CA

Why it's Strong:

UCSF has a reputation for excellence within advanced practice nursing education, one of the top places in the country to train nurse practitioners or nurse leaders.

Degrees:

BSN (Traditional)
MSN (Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Leadership)
DNP
PhD in Nursing

Distinctive Features:

UCSF is home to one of the premier medical schools in the world; its nursing school collaborates and shares faculty with UCSF Health.
Concentrates on pediatrics, psychiatric nursing, and adult health.
Current focus on evidence-based practice and patient safety.

3. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing - Philadelphia, PA

Why It Is Top Ranked:

Penn is one of the Ivy League colleges and is ranked among the country's best schools of nursing. The Penn School of Nursing has top professors, science-based research, and clinical leadership.

Major Programs:

BSN, Traditional and Accelerated
MSN, including FNP, NM, and NA
DNP
PhD in Nursing Science

Distinctive Features:

Research Emphasis: Research focus is on enhancing patient outcomes and healthcare disparities.
Opportunities for students include high-level clinical placements, such as at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Highly fertile faculty-to-student ratio provides personalized attention.

4. Duke University School of Nursing – Durham, NC

Why It's Top Ranked:

Duke University School of Nursing is known to prepare nurses for the largest leadership roles in healthcare. Its nursing school has gained a place on the priority list for patient-centered care, nursing research, and interdisciplinary teamwork.

Key Programs:

BSN (Accelerated)
MSN (Adult-Gerontology NP, Family NP, Nurse Anesthesia)
DNP
PhD in Nursing

Special Features:

Close clinical affiliation with Duke University Hospital, the sixth-largest independent hospital in the country.
Emphasis on nurse leadership, community health, and global health initiatives.
Because of its research focus, students are taught to base practice decisions on evidence and scientific process.

5. Columbia University School of Nursing – New York, NY

What It is Ranked for:

Columbia University School of Nursing is a highly-ranked center for nursing education, research, and practice. Situated in the middle of New York City, Columbia gives students the opportunity to have access to the most diverse healthcare environments.

Major Programs:

BSN (Accelerated and Traditional)
MSN (Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Midwifery)
DNP
PhD in Nursing

Attractions to Students:

It comes with access to highly-ranked clinical experiences through various settings: in hospitals, community centers, urban environments, and much more.
Leader in cutting-edge research on the most significant issues related to healthcare disparities, patient safety, and nursing education.
Dedicated to global health and to working in underserved areas.

6. Yale University School of Nursing - New Haven, CT

What Sets It Apart:

Yale University's school of nursing is outstanding with regard to educational innovation for nursing, nursing science, healthcare policy, and interdisciplinary practices. The university has been holding one of the top-rated programs in the United States for nurse practitioner programs among other programs and options.

Major Programs:

MSN (Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, Nurse Leadership)
DNP
PhD in Nursing

Distinctive Features:

Yale School of Nursing offers an exciting different degree program called Advanced Practice Nursing, with a focus on leadership and healthcare delivery.
Clinical exposures to the best-ranked hospitals and health centers in Connecticut and New York.
Heavily involves nursing theory and research in the work with patients.

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing – Chapel Hill, NC

Why It's Top Ranked:

UNC-Chapel Hill's School of Nursing prides itself on an academy of excellence in the science of nursing; a program founded in patient care innovations, nursing leadership, and community health.

Major Programs:

BSN: Traditional and Accelerated
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Leadership
DNP
PhD in Nursing

Notable Features:

Clinical affiliations between the university and UNC Medical Center and the North Carolina healthcare system.
UNC offers an emphasis in rural health and public health nursing, preparing graduates to work in a variety of settings.
Superb student support services and mentorship from seasoned faculty.

8. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing – Nashville, TN

Why It's Top Ranked:

Vanderbilt's School of Nursing stands out for highly trained nurses, especially those with training in nurse anesthesia, nurse practitioner, and nursing education. The program includes rigorous clinical instruction and innovative research.

Key Programs:

MSN (Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, Nurse Anesthesia)
DNP
PhD in Nursing

Distinctive Features:

A research-based approach to nursing, focusing on nursing science and health policy.
Clinical experiences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, renowned for quality patient care and advanced medical research.
Leadership of nursing practice with evidence-based practice emphases.

9. University of Washington School of Nursing – Seattle, WA

Why It's Top-Ranked:

Of major universities in nursing education, research, and practice, the University of Washington is probably at the top. Nursing leadership, community health, and advanced practice are focused on.

Programs:

BSN: Traditional and Accelerated
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia
DNP
PhD in Nursing

Points of Distinction:

Clinical Rotations at Harborview Medical Center and other Seattle hospitals.
Focus on community-based care, nursing policy, and health equity.
Collaborative work with the UW School of Medicine and health sciences across campus.

10. University of Michigan School of Nursing – Ann Arbor, MI

Why It's Ranked High:

The University of Michigan School of Nursing has a well-respected reputation for its programs in advanced clinical training, research initiatives, and nursing leadership and health policy. Michigan prepares students with an extremely solid foundation for a wide range of careers in healthcare.

Key Programs:

BSN (Traditional and Accelerated)
MSN (Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Leadership)
DNP
PhD in Nursing

Distinctive Features:

Interdisciplinary opportunities with other health sciences programs at the University of Michigan.
Strong patient care innovations, community health, and global health initiatives.
Access to clinical facilities found within this world-class research university, like the University of Michigan Health System.

Conclusion

These are the Top 10 Nursing Colleges. These offer the best nursing education programs worldwide, as they provide clinical training and research opportunities that can propel students to successful nursing careers. Whether you want to jump-start your career or launch a career advancement, these schools offer all the assets you need to succeed within the ever-evolving health industry.

This is strictly a personal decision regarding which school is right for you in nursing, depending on the direction you would like your career to go in and what interest in nursing you would like to pursue, in addition to having a preference in the type of learning environment that you feel suits you best. However, any of these highly ranked programs ensure that you will be prepared and set up for success in the nursing field with the education you'll receive.